This is the blog of China defense, where professional analysts and serious defense enthusiasts share findings on a rising military power.

Saturday, August 01, 2015

Two new 072A LST under construction.

Back in May 2014, the PLAN transferred all three (927, 928, and 929) of its Type 072-class Landing Ship Tank (LST) to the China Coast Guard. Now, it appears that they have ordered three new similar sized 072A to make good on those lost.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

China Coast Guard's Type 072-class landing ship.

Not sure how many Coast Guards could boost their own amphibious asset
but the China Coast Guard certainly does -- it now commands an old
Type072 Landing Ship, Tank from the PLAN and calls it "Tow 25".

Monday, May 25, 2015

PLAN commission of the day: LST 981 Dabieshan

This Yuting III mod is commissioned as the latest member of the 5th
Landing Ship Flotilla, East Sea Fleet. It is the second PLAN LST to bear
the name "Dabieshan", the first Dabieshan, a Shan class (ex USN LST)
currently serving as a museum ship in Shandong.

It is interesting to note that the PLAN is assigning all three of her
071 LPDs to the 6th Landing Ship Flotilla, South Sea Fleet, while the
"Taiwan facing" 5th Landing Ship Flotilla soldiering on with smaller
LSTs. I suppose Taiwan is closer to the Chinese mainland then some of
those South China Sea islands.

Old Shan Class Dabieshan

Monday, March 02, 2015

Time to check in with our friends at Wuhan's Wuchang Shipyard.

First of all, another Yuting III-class class LST under construction.
Consider the 3 Yukan-class class LSTs already have 30 years of service
under their belts, this new boat could be a Yukan replacement.
Otherwise, one would expect a much bigger hull or a more modern design.